Portable, Modular Pipe Bending Machine

Abstract

A pipe bending machine or apparatus that has stacks of laminated steel plates pinned or bolted together to form the machine. The pipe bending machine has two primary parts, one sliding in another. And the pipe bending machine is actuated by a hydraulic piston or some other actuator. Activation or actuation causes pipe bending dies to move towards each other bending pipe in a standard pipe bending arrangement. All components of the machine fit through an access port of an industrial tank. The apparatus can be disassembled and assembled onsite including inside of an industrial tank for use and disassembled in the tank for removal and transit away from the site.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising components including:
 a main body having:
 a pressing assembly; 
 a stationary assembly; 
 and 
 a base top; 
   at least two stationary dies sized to engage a pipe and connected to the stationary assembly through a bearing block;   and   at least one sliding die connected to the pressing assembly through another bearing block,   
       wherein the apparatus is configured to pass through an access port having a diameter that ranges from 18 inches to 36 inches in a disassembled configuration. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the main body comprises stacked metal plates. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the main body comprises multiple connectors mounted perpendicular to the stacked metal plates. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a mechanism connected between the pressing assembly and the stationary assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  further comprising a drive motor connected to at least one of the stationary dies or the sliding die. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein at least one die is substantially parallel to the base top. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the pipe has a diameter that ranges from ½ inch to 3 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the sliding die is between the stationary dies and off of an axis between the stationary dies. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the sliding die is configured to press the pipe against the stationary dies. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the laminated sheets comprise a first sheet with a first shape and a second sheet with a second shape. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a mechanism connected between the pressing assembly and the stationary assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a drive motor connected to at least one of the stationary dies or the sliding die. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein at least one die is substantially parallel to the base top. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the pipe has a diameter that ranges from ½ inch to 3 inches. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the main body comprises stacked metal plates and wherein the main body comprises multiple connectors mounted perpendicular to the stacked metal plates. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the sliding die is between the stationary dies and off of an axis between the stationary dies. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising components including:
 a main body having:
 stacked metal plates; 
 multiple connectors mounted perpendicular to the stacked metal plates; 
 a pressing assembly; 
 a stationary assembly; 
 a mechanism connected between the pressing assembly and the stationary assembly; 
 and 
 a base top; 
   at least two stationary dies each having a bearing block fixed to the stationary assembly and sized to engage a pipe having a diameter that ranges from ½ inch to 3 inches;   at least one sliding die configured to press the pipe against the stationary dies to bend the pipe, the die having a bearing block fixed to the pressing assembly;   and   a motor connected to at least one of the stationary or the sliding dies,   
       wherein
 the apparatus is configured to pass through an access port having a diameter that ranges from 18 inches to 36 inches in a disassembled configuration, 
 the sliding die is between the stationary dies and off of an axis between the stationary dies, 
 and 
 at least one die is substantially parallel to the base top. 
 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising delivering the components of the apparatus of  claim 1  through an access port. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising assembling the components into the apparatus of  claim 1  in a tank. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising supplying pipe to the apparatus.